Last Update: January 11, 2023, 3:34 PM IST
Smoke rises from the assault on the border town of Soledar as Russia continues to attack Ukraine, as seen from Bakhmut, Ukraine (Image: Reuters)
Kremlin spokesman Peskov acknowledged losses but said the ‘success’ in the battle of Bakhmut was coming at a high cost
Russia said on Wednesday it was making progress in military operations around the small salt mining town of Soledar in eastern ukraine and had positive momentum, but accepted heavy casualties.
Asked about the ground situation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “Don’t be in a hurry, wait for official statements.” There is a positive dynamic in progress.”
Ukraine said at first its forces were holding up. The morning summary of the Ukrainian military made one mention of Soledar, listing it as one of several towns in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
Reuters was unable to verify conditions on the ground.
Soledar is located about seven kilometers (four miles) northeast of Bakhmut, which the Russians, led by Wagner’s mercenary group, have been trying to capture for months in fierce fighting.
Peskov acknowledged the high cost of the operation in terms of soldiers’ lives.
“Though tactical successes are also very important, they come at a high cost, at the expense of the spectacular heroism of our fighters, and so this is another reason to be proud of our men on the spot that neither life nor health was to give. Let’s leave it for granted. We got these tactical successes,” he said.
Peskov reiterated the Kremlin’s previous statements that President Vladimir Putin is open to talks over the war in Ukraine, now nearing the end of its 11th month, and that Russia would prefer to achieve its goals through political and diplomatic means .
But he said there was no possibility of talks given the position of Ukraine and the West.
Ukraine and its ally the United States say Putin has shown no signs he is serious about talks, seeking time to regroup after Russia suffered a series of defeats in recent months. move is suspected.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)